Question:
I have exciting news for anyone with AETNA...........

I just wanted to let my wonderful AMOS family know that I spoke to AETNA/US HEALTHCARE HMO today. The approval process, per their wonderful customer service rep Davida should be within 5-7 WORKING DAYS!!!!!!!! Yeehaw!!!! She said AETNA is very positive on this surgery. My paperwork was sent in Friday so, I just wanted to let anyone who is on the same pins and needles know! Good Luck to all, Deb    — Deb K. (posted on July 22, 2002)

July 22, 2002
Hi Deb, you just might get a surprise earlier than that - I have Aetna USHC HMO, and mine was approved in less than 2 working days! Good luck to you! 11 months postie, down 140lbs/117 inches :o)
   — lily1968

July 22, 2002
There are a few positives about this post that should be considered. First, what more of a confirmation do you pre-ops need to convince you that the major medical problems are pre-op, not post-op? I think this is an outstanding testimony to that fact. Second, this surgery benefits the insurance industry. I was approved for both the VBG 4 years ago and my RNY revision in 24 hours -- 3 separate insurance companies. I think this is great news for ALL of us! Thanks for the post!
   — Karen F.

July 22, 2002
Hi Deb, That is not always true... It took three months and an appeal for my surgery to be approved. I was under the Promina umbrella of Aetna US Healthcare and I met the three criteras they want you to have.. After denials, my appeal was approved on June 14, 2002. We did not hear anything until I called the appeals dept on the 27th, we should had received a response by Saturday the 22nd of June. (Dr. Burrows office called on the 21st(Friday) and someone was to get back with them.) Their customer service department didn't have a clue.( I called them on the Monday the 24th& Tues the 25th, Wednesday the 26th & Thursday the 27th) to finally find out my surgery had been approved on the 14th. The approval letter was not mailed out until I requested that they fax me a copy and I received the fax and the mail copy on the same day (Friday the 29th). Dr. Burrows office was calling as I was. Well anyway I wish you all the luck in the world!!!! My surgery is scheduled for August6, 2002. Please keep me in your prayers...And I will keep you in mine that your surgery gets approved...
   — Tracey M.

July 23, 2002
Update. My surgeon was able to fax the info in on Tuesday as opposed to last friday. I was also told from AETNA that they had to mail the info in and, it was faxed. The wait begins!
   — Deb K.